If you’re referring to the banana-storage kitchen hack, the “one kitchen item” is usually plastic wrap/cling film.
🍌 Why it can help
Bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that speeds up ripening. The stem releases a significant amount of ethylene, so wrapping the banana stems tightly with plastic wrap can slow the ripening process.
How to try it
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Separate the bananas if you want them to ripen more slowly.
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Wrap the stem ends tightly with a small piece of plastic wrap.
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Keep the bananas at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.
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Once they’re at your preferred ripeness, you can refrigerate them. The peel may turn brown, but the fruit inside can remain usable for longer.
One important correction
The claim that this method will make bananas last exactly 10 days longer is too strong. How long bananas last depends on their starting ripeness, temperature, variety, and storage conditions. Wrapping the stems may slow ripening, but it isn’t a guaranteed 10-day extension.
Also, keeping bananas away from other ripe fruit can help because many fruits release ethylene too.
